I've decided to move to the DC area. Anyone have

[Subdivisions]

a room for rent?

Can anyone tell me about the cost of living in Maryland, Virginia, DC, or vicinity?

[Joe the Revelator]

Cost of living is astronomical

I had to leave.

[Whoa_Nelly]

1. Will you become DC Explorer when Skinner grants screenname amnesty?

Good luck with your move! :hi:

[Subdivisions]

5. DC Explorer...hmmm...*rubs chin* ... Maybe =).

[Tangerine LaBamba]

2. It's pricey

I don't know about Maryland, but DC and VA are really expensive. And now, with the housing market collapsing, rental units are going fast and getting harder to find. There was just an article about it in this morning's Washington Post. There are some really nice suburbs, like Takoma Park in MD, and anywhere in Alexandria, VA, but, again, it's costly.

That said, it's a great place to live. I hope you find what you need and want, and that you have a wonderful time here.

[Subdivisions]

6. Actually, I'm originally from the Tidewater area, and

Newport News specifically. Moved back there as an adult for six years and loved it. Just came back from the area a few days ago after a two-week visit. Had a blast. But it's too far for the regular activist activity I currently envision for myself so I'm cosidering somewhere within an hour's distance to keep the fuel expenses lower than if I chose to move back to Hampton, VA.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

10. Don't forget

The traffic here is among the worst in the country. If you decide to live an hour away, count on it being two hours away, because the rush hours are deadly, and you might end up spending more in gas than you'd spend on rent.

Living in closer keeps you closer to the action and also gives you access to the Metro, which is terrific.

[Subdivisions]

13. That's very good reasoning. I would love to be able to live

within the range of the Metro. No doubt I'll have to look into it. I hope to find a garage apartment or room, rather than a whole apartment. That way I can use the money saved to contribute to the cause.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

31. Yeah, If you can afford to live in closer in, say Falls Church/Arlington you can

metro/drive into DC quickly and reverse commute out to Tysons Corner easily as well.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

18. Originally from NN then moved to DC for a couple of years. Too hectic and $$

so now we're in Richmond.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

32. Hey me too!

;)

[leftofcool]

3. Highest cost of living on the planet

Rent runs 1,800 per month for a 2 bedroom apt

[matt819]

16. Plan on $1000/mth for rent in DC

Okay, you can probably find a place for less, but there is a dramatic decline in quality when you cut off that last few hundred dollars. If you have a car, plan on paying for garage space. In any case, don't expect to find an apartment solo. Unless you have more than a few grand to spend, you will be sharing an apartment. Good point on the Metro, but the reality is that it depends on where you're going to school or working, hours, etc. If there is a job commute involved, try your best to go against the rush hour (work in VA, live in DC). Or, if you work or go to school in VA, live further south or west, or even as far as WVA. You have the cost of commuting but your traffic woes could be reduced.

[Subdivisions]

17. Thanks for the info, matt819. All good points. Actually, I need nothing

more than a room and a bath, even if it's in a shared building or with a roommate. That and internet access for my work and I'm in business. I have my truck to get around but prefer to be close to mass transit.

Thanks again for your insight, matt819!

[Seedersandleechers]

38. On the planet?

Are you sure? My son goes to Law school in Manhattan and pays $2600 for a SMALL two bedroom...

[TBF]

4. Texas is cheaper (that's why we're here) - but I have to say I'm jealous -

I miss DC sometimes. Northern Virginia and the Maryland suburbs are pretty similar. You might try the Silver Spring, MD area or Arlington/Alexandria in VA. I lived in Alexandria in the 90's and always liked it. Good luck! Let us know how it goes...

[Subdivisions]

7. No offense to Texas. It's has it's charms. But,

I hate it here. Life is dull. I love Virginia. And I want to be close to DC because I have a lot to say. I'm going to fight this government on my feet rather than on my keyboard.

[TBF]

11. I know. I'm in my 40's now w/small children. I lived in DC area for

15 years after college and only left because we had a great job opportunity down here. But living in Texas, though cheap, is not where I'd prefer to be either. I've actually been working on my husband to move to London. His company has overseas offices, and he is British. I never thought I'd want to leave the US, but 8 years of George Bush has really changed my thinking.

Go get'em in DC - I'll be helping out on the campaign from here. :)

[AlCzervik]

24. the cost of living is cheaper there, we lived in Spring for 3 years and that actually

gave the chance to save money which made moving to California a little easier. We had a condo in Massachusetts and we sold it and bought a house, an entire house and yard for $155k, it felt like we hit the lottery. The only drawback was high property taxes.

[On the Road]

8. I Actually Have a Couple of Cheap Rooms for Rent

Between $350 and $400. They are closer to Baltimore, but are on the DC side of things. Commute might be too long depending on where you will be working.

A lot of the DC is astronomical, but there are a few exceptions. Prince George county (E and SE) is the less developed part of the area, and there are some more reasonable neighborhoods. Some are not good areas, so you might have to pick and choose.

[Subdivisions]

14. Please check your inbox =) n/t

[cui bono]

9. Funny, driving home from work I started fantasizing about the possibility

of having a place in DC, shared by many, so that I could go there when I'm between jobs and take over Congress! Yes, I was fantasizing about a group of people getting in, going on the floor, and shutting the place down. If they're not going to listen to the phone calls, emails, protests, etc... then more attention needs to be brought to the matter. And if they don't know how to fight the Repugs on the floor we'd show them!

If nothing else, the idea made my hot, smoggy, bumper to bumper drive home a little more bearable.

[Subdivisions]

12. What an inspiring daydream! Personally, once there in the region,

I intend to be more rabid with them than is Code Pink. In fact, I fully expect and accept that I will be arrested and jailed repeatedly. But I'm willing to completely change the course of my life to fight for my rights and freedom.

The beauty about my job is that I can live anywhere I want and I can work around any activism I engage in.

[cui bono]

15. Good for you. Yeah, expecting arrests and jail was also part of my dream.

:)

[roody]

23. CodePink has an impressive activist house

in DC.

[Initech]

19. I have a friend who just did that.

I dont know any of the details or anything (it was work-related) but he said the transition couldn't have been easier.

[usaftmo]

20. Arlington, Virginia native here

The cost of living is obscene, and the traffic jams are legendary. If possible try to find a room near the subway. That's what us locals call the (mostly) underground train; not the sandwich store! LOL

I'm partial towards the Virginia suburbs, but then again I lived there until joining the military.

State income taxes are rather steep. I'm paying $150 a month! Fortunately sales tax is rather low (4.5% to my knowledge).

Please check this site; it's got a lot of apartments:
www.apartmentguide.com

When I retire from the Air Force (later this year if all goes well), I've been looking into moving to Springfield. There's a large mall, several shopping centers surrounding it along with a train station (for the subway and VRE). VRE is a commuter train that shares track with Amtrak. Interstates 95, 395, and 495 intersect there. Unfortunately that makes for some nasty traffic, but since I grew up with it...I'm used to it.

[soothsayer]

25. yipes, how can a fellow Arlingtonian think about turning to Springfield??

say it ain't so! Except yeah, it's cheaper for sure. Those houses have never really appreciated.

[usaftmo]

27. Arlingtonian? Wow, haven't heard that

in years! North Arlington is alien to me, so South Arlington is where I would ideally like to be. There's a lot of apartments on Randolph street next to the Shirlington exit that I would consider.

That used to be a Best parking lot! I learned how to drive in that parking lot!

Am I showing my age now? LOL

I've already got an unofficial job offer to be a warehouse foreman; they're asking for my resume. My sister works there; that's how I'm ahead of the curve.

I miss Northern Virginia quite a bit. Having 4 seasons is something I've missed out on for several years.

Brenner's Bakery is gone; it was on Columbia Pike near the Walter Reed intersection.
:cry:

Is the Broiler still in business? It's a pizza/sub joint on Columbia Pike near Rosenthal Chevrolet.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

34. Things have changed

In Shirlington, the Best store became a movie complex, the parking lot was there for all of Shirlington's visitors.

Then it became - I think - an apartment complex. Shirlington's gotten so fancy and such a hassle - you can only park in the multi-level car park now - that we don't go there anymore.

Brenner's was wonderful! Do you remember their Mounds cupcakes? Made with the candy bar of the same name.

You wouldn't believe the Columbia Pike/Walter Reed Drive area now. Going VERY upscale, but still with lower-income housing down around WR Drive across CP, going north. There are a slew of enthic restaurants, all sort of gatherings, and the Columbia Pike Artists' Studios are on the second floor of the corner building, where once, I think, it was Wall Street Clothiers.

Things sure do change, don't they?

[usaftmo]

36. They sure have changed!

Whenever I come home for leave I can't believe how different things are.

Even the animal shelter has changed! It looks so fancy/modern now...I thought it was a library! Is there still a library next to the animal shelter? Many times my Mom would take me to the library to check out some books, then walk across to the animal shelter to visit the kittens and puppies.

My favorite items from Brenner's were their cakes, and chocolate donuts. Yummy!

Is the cinema/drafthouse/whatever still on CP near where Bob's Big Boy used to be? Wall Street Clothiers was around there somewhere (I vaguely remember that place). That's the theater my sister took me to watch the first Star Wars movie when it came out (now known as Episode IV).

Ah, the memories...

[Tangerine LaBamba]

37. I haven't been over there in more than a year

But, yeah, the cinema/alehouse was still there, still anchoring the area. Bob's Big Boy is now an Eckerd's drugstore, whose parking lot becomes a terrific organic farmers' market on Sunday mornings.

The library was once a bank, remember? I loved returning books there, using the drive-in window, dropping the books into the open tray, as if I were making a bank deposit.

The animal shelter, yes, is still there.

Brenner's made the best cakes in the world, bar none. You have GREAT taste.............

[usaftmo]

39. Thank you very much :-)

I don't remember the library as a bank. Somehow I get the idea you're over 40? I'm 38 myself.

Is the Weenie Beenie still there in Shirlington? The appearance of that place hasn't changed since the 70's, not even a paint job!

Yesterday I ran into a fellow Wakefield graduate! She's the class of 2000...that sounds very recent to me! :hide:

[Tangerine LaBamba]

40. Oh, honey

I remember Shirlington before it was Shirlington. There was a Shirlington Deli there, and now it's on Jeff Davis Highway, down from Potomac Yard, but still called the Shirlington Deli.

Yes, the Weenie Beenie is still there, and you still need to pack Tums before you eat there.

The class of 2000 sounds strange to me.

[northzax]

33. for the record

I've lived in dc for a decade and I have never heard a local refer to Metro as anything but Metro or 'tro. Tourists call it the subway...

[usaftmo]

35. Not everyone

I lived in Arlington from 1970-1991, and subway is the only name I heard for it. The official name is Metrorail, but I very rarely hear anyone other than one of their employees call it that.

We referred to the bus as the Metro.

[northzax]

41. ok, I guess the burbs are different

to me, and basically everyone I talk to, the train is Metro, the bus is the bus.

"Hey, how do you get to work, do you drive, metro or bus?" would be the common usage now.

[usaftmo]

43. That's likely the case

DC...VA...MD...3 different languages sometimes!
:shrug:

[tkmorris]

21. Lived all over that area

Manassas and Fredericksburg, VA, both have commuter trains running out to them from the city. You could easily take those into town and transfer to the regular Metro to get anywhere. Both locations were significantly cheaper than the areas just outside the city (Alexandria, Fairfax, etc.) last time I was up there. My favorite place that I lived in VA that was in commuting distance was Leesburg. There were some really cool little pubs and restaurants downtown, and some fairly interesting people. It used to be possible to live there on the cheap, but last I looked they seemed to be trying to tony up the town a bit; that may have changed.

The last place I lived up there was actually in Maryland, around Waldorf and La Plata. Definitely within commute range but... Let's just say that the people there are a large part of the reason I'm in Florida now. Not everyone of course, but too many.

Good luck to ya TE.

:toast:

[roody]

22. There is a good, cheap hostel to stay in while visiting.

http://www.hihostels.com/affiliates/hiusa060005.php?PHPSESSID=d9050a1504aca4079c339656f6a2edd8&house=060005

[bikebloke]

26. In Arlington

The last apartment project I lived in had lots of speculators. When they couldn't rent one month, they'd jack up the rent to make up for it. Of course, others followed suit. Rents were over inflated. And there were many foreign students with liar loans, who I'm sure have walked away when they couldn't sell upon graduation.

There have been a couple places around my new place that stayed empty for a long time before someone moved in. Check the City Paper. Craig's List listings tend to run on the dear side. It takes a little luck, too.

It's expensive here, but I don't drive. Nor have kids, debts, or met anyone I'd like to date, so I'm saving up my survival stash.

[williesgirl]

28. Used to live in Fairfax, but when I retired, came out to Front Royal in the mountains. Love it and

it's cheaper out here and way less traffic. I can't believe the number of folks out here who commute into DC daily - leave at 4 in the morning to keep out of traffic a little each way. Problem with rush hour in VA is that it's now almost all day and even the reverse-rush commutes are nothing to write home about in the last few years. If you're just looking for a room and bath, I'd try Arlington. Public transportation there is great and you're so close to everything. Good luck.

[Junkdrawer]

29. From 1983 to 1989 I lived in Gaithersburg, MD...

It's at the extreme end of the Red Line Metro. That means that getting to and from a job anywhere in DC is feasible.

I found this apartment search engine:

http://www.apartments.com/partner/Results.aspx?page=results&stype=city&partner=wpost&city=gaithersburg&state=md&rent_minimum=0&rent_maximum=9999&onebdrm=0&srt1=0.38&srt2=0.38&srt3=0.38&mode=6144

[bridgit]

30. Rockville, MD

http://www.rent.com/rentals/washington-dc/washington-dc-and-vicinity/rockville/results/

[Subdivisions]

42. THANK YOU! to all who have responded! This is why I

love DU. We may have our moments (GD-P...ahem) but when it comes down to community, you guys are the best =).

Keep the great info coming! I am taking notes. =)

[Arugula Latte]

44. I lived there in the early 90s ... so I'm not up to date. BUT

the good thing is -- there is SO MUCH free culture and entertainment ... the Smithsonian complex of museums being the most notable.

[High Plains]

45. Takoma Park and Rainier are two progressive suburbs.

Right on the edge of the District in the state of Maryland.

Easy metro access.

Not any more expensive than anywhere else in the metro area.

Kind of a small town feel, too.

I think Takoma Park banned nuclear weapons a few years ago.

Virginia is for losers.

[THX1138]

46. I left DC for the same reason

Baltimore is cheaper, but not like it used to be. There are some parts of Baltimore that are still reasonable yet safe. I am renting a house in the Hampden neighborhood for just over $1000. I have a full, half finished basement, W/D and a postage stamp yard. Hate to think what that would cost in DC. When I was in DC, VA was even more expensive, and the traffic down there is awful. Baltimore suburbs aren't too bad. Parkville/White Marsh area for instance. You can probably Find local rooms for rent on Craigslist